February 22, 2005

RAIC offers to help lead Canada to a greener future

By Patricia Williams

staff writer

With the Kyoto Protocol in effect, members of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) are stepping up to the plate and offering their expertise in helping lead Canada to a greener future.

In a statement, RAIC noted that architects have an holistic view of the building process. As designers of buildings and communities, they negotiate between human participants — users, developers, regulators and decision-makers — and the environment.

“They stand-in for the natural world, ensuring it is not something distinct and outside of architectural and urban design processes but heard and thoughtfully considered in every aspect from planning and design to construction and maintenance,” RAIC said.

“They bring together diverse requirements and disciplines, while serving the public interest and addressing health and safety matters.”

Under the Kyoto Protocol, which came in effect last week, Canada is committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2008 to 2012 by about 20 to 30 per cent.

“With 30 to 40 per cent of all energy being consumed by buildings, it is natural that architects are in the position to help ensure Canada meets its commitments in the Kyoto Protocol,” said RAIC executive director Jon Hobbs.

Jon Hobbs

Noting that urban sprawl encourages greater energy consumption and thereby increased emissions, Hobbs said architects’ abilities in retrofitting buildings and bringing about urban intensification put them “in a key position to offer creation solutions.”

The RAIC represents more than 3,200 architects across the country.

Members have been embracing the greening of Canada, the institute said.

Professional development courses regularly focus on sustainable design.

The institute has established recommendations for its members to follow in a document entitled Sustainability and the Built Environment.

“It is critical that planning at all levels encompasses entire regions to ensure an integrated approach to sustainable planning,” Hobbs said.

“Currently, what we see is a lack of intergovernmental co-operation and inter-jurisdictional co-operation and land-use planning.

“As a profession, we believe we can offer our expertise and lead Canada to a greener future.”

Print | Email | Comment